How Did Tom Buchanan Make His Money?

Tom Buchanan, the imposing antagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, inherited his vast fortune. He did not earn it through labor, entrepreneurship, or investment acumen. Instead, his wealth was generational, passed down through his family line.

The Buchanan Dynasty: Old Money and Entitlement

Tom Buchanan is the epitome of “old money.” This concept is central to understanding his character and his position within the social hierarchy of the Roaring Twenties. Unlike Gatsby, who fabricated a past and amassed wealth through questionable means, Tom’s affluence is deeply rooted in family lineage and inherited privilege.

A Legacy of Wealth

The novel explicitly states that Tom comes from an extremely wealthy family. The source of this wealth is never precisely detailed, but we can infer it likely stems from industries prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries: possibly railroads, manufacturing, or land ownership. These ventures were the backbone of fortunes that defined the Gilded Age and continued to exert influence in the Jazz Age.

Living Off the Inheritance

Tom’s life is one of leisure and entitlement, supported entirely by his inherited wealth. He is free to pursue his passions, such as polo, and indulge in extramarital affairs without the constraints of financial worries. His carefree lifestyle underscores the power and security associated with old money, a world where one is born into privilege rather than earning it.

Character and Wealth: The Corrupting Influence

Tom’s wealth is not merely a financial advantage; it is inextricably linked to his character flaws. His inherited privilege fuels his arrogance, recklessness, and sense of superiority.

A Sense of Entitlement

Tom believes his wealth entitles him to certain privileges, including the freedom to disregard societal norms and treat others with disdain. He is openly contemptuous of those he perceives as beneath him, including Gatsby, whose “new money” is viewed as vulgar and illegitimate. Tom’s entitlement reinforces the novel’s critique of class divisions and social injustice.

Destructive Behavior

Tom’s wealth enables his destructive behavior. He can afford to indulge in his passions without consequence, whether it’s buying expensive ponies for polo or maintaining a mistress in a New York apartment. This financial freedom allows him to act with impunity, further highlighting the corrupting influence of unchecked wealth.

The Contrast with Gatsby

The stark contrast between Tom’s inherited wealth and Gatsby’s self-made fortune is a central theme in the novel. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and social status is ultimately futile, as he is never fully accepted into Tom’s world of old money. This underscores the insurmountable barriers created by class distinctions and the enduring power of inherited privilege.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and answers about Tom Buchanan’s wealth and its impact on his character and the story:

1. What specific industry was Tom Buchanan’s family involved in?

While the novel does not explicitly state the industry, it’s highly probable that Tom’s family amassed their fortune through ventures common during the Gilded Age, such as railroads, manufacturing, or land speculation. These industries were instrumental in building vast fortunes that defined the economic landscape of the time.

2. How did Tom’s wealth affect his marriage to Daisy?

Tom’s wealth provided Daisy with a life of luxury and security, but it also created a power imbalance in their relationship. Daisy was aware of Tom’s infidelities but often chose to stay in the marriage for the social and financial stability it offered. Tom’s wealth was a significant factor in holding their dysfunctional marriage together.

3. Did Tom ever work for a living?

The novel implies that Tom never held a job or engaged in any form of employment. His life was one of leisure, supported entirely by his inherited wealth. This lack of purpose contributes to his restlessness and his pursuit of fleeting pleasures.

4. How does Tom view Gatsby’s wealth compared to his own?

Tom views Gatsby’s wealth as inferior and illegitimate. He sees Gatsby as an “upstart” who lacks the breeding and social standing of someone born into old money. Tom’s disdain for Gatsby’s wealth reflects his elitism and his belief in the superiority of his own social class.

5. What role does wealth play in the overall themes of The Great Gatsby?

Wealth is a central theme in The Great Gatsby, serving as a symbol of power, status, and the American Dream. The novel explores the corrupting influence of wealth, the illusion of happiness it provides, and the stark inequalities it creates within society. It highlights the difference between “old money” and “new money”, with the former representing established privilege and the latter representing ambition and social climbing.

6. How does Tom’s wealth contribute to his arrogance?

Tom’s wealth reinforces his arrogance by creating a sense of entitlement and superiority. He believes he is better than others because of his social class and financial standing. This arrogance is a defining characteristic of his personality and is evident in his interactions with others.

7. What are some examples of Tom flaunting his wealth in the novel?

Tom flaunts his wealth through his opulent mansion, his expensive polo ponies, and his lavish parties. He also displays his wealth by purchasing expensive gifts for his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. These displays of wealth serve to reinforce his social status and assert his dominance.

8. Did Tom’s family support his lifestyle?

The novel does not provide specific details on his family’s ongoing involvement in his life, it is implied that he had complete access to the wealth as an adult. His lifestyle is entirely dependent on the inherited fortune.

9. How does Tom’s wealth affect his accountability for his actions?

Tom’s wealth allows him to evade consequences for his actions. He is able to use his money and social connections to escape responsibility for his affairs and his involvement in the tragic events that unfold in the novel. His lack of accountability underscores the power of wealth to shield individuals from justice.

10. Is Tom’s wealth a source of happiness for him?

While Tom’s wealth provides him with comfort and security, it does not bring him true happiness. He is restless, discontent, and ultimately unfulfilled. This suggests that wealth alone cannot guarantee happiness and that other factors, such as meaningful relationships and personal fulfillment, are essential for a satisfying life.

11. How does Tom’s wealth compare to the wealth of other characters in the novel?

Tom’s wealth represents the pinnacle of old money, setting him apart from characters like Gatsby, who are striving to attain similar levels of financial success. Nick Carraway, who comes from a well-to-do Midwestern family, occupies a middle ground between Tom’s inherited wealth and Gatsby’s self-made fortune. The comparative wealth of these characters highlights the social hierarchy and the varying degrees of access to the American Dream.

12. What does Tom Buchanan’s wealth ultimately symbolize in The Great Gatsby?

Ultimately, Tom Buchanan’s wealth symbolizes the entrenched social inequalities and moral decay that characterized the Roaring Twenties. His inherited privilege represents a stagnant and corrupt system that perpetuates injustice and prevents true social mobility. Tom’s wealth becomes a symbol of the emptiness and disillusionment that underlies the pursuit of the American Dream in a materialistic society.